Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 August 2019 Psalm 95:1.

22 Aug 2019 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 95:1.    ​O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) to the rock of our salvation.
 

A blessed Thursday to you my Scrip-Bit friends and family! Let’s hope that all is well in your world! And even if it isn’t, my prayer is that you will have the wisdom, the faith and trust, to surrender all your problems to Almighty God who has sincerely promised to work them all out for the good of those who LOVE and serve Him with sincere hearts and minds! 

And we know that He keeps all His promises faithfully, because one of His many names is Ever-Faithful! Glory to our great God, my precious people! 

And you wouldn’t believe how the ole fella partied yesterday evening down in the Ex, down by the Bandshell! Brother! And why wouldn’t he when he was listening to some excellent live reggae music eh? Opening the proceedings was local star, Jay Douglas and his band, who sounded good, as they always do! 

And the headline artist was none other than the sweetest voice to ever come out of J.A, Mr. Ken Boothe himself! Wow mih people! You can imagine how the Lakefront mash up when Mr. Boothe come out in his red suit and burst out in song with that same suave, sweet voice that made him one of J.A’s most LOVED performers. And though he’s a li’l older and stouter, the voice is still as sweet and still brings back glorious memories. 

I always remember the first Ken Boothe song I ever heard, something called the ‘Song of the Swallow.’ I can still remember to this day, going to a party, some fifty two years ago, in the early days of CAST, then just a technical school, up in my favourite village of Papine, and hearing the sweet, mellow voice singing out: ‘If the song of the swallow, Could reveal all my sorrow, Then that’s the song I’d sing. And tonight you’d hear, the saddest song of the year, and you’d be mine once again, Come tomorrow.’ 

And yuh can imagine how the ole fella carry on when he sang that song last evening. As well as tunes like ‘Silver Words, Moving Away, Freedom Street, I’m going to tell you goodbye babe,’ and a host of others! Mr. Boothe’s hits are so numerous that I didn’t even remember some of them until he sang them. 

Yes friends, the ole fella had a wonderful time drifting down memory lane with Mr. Boothe. And as he so wisely reminded us, ‘memories don’t leave like people do, they always stay with you.’ And they certainly do! That’s why it’s ever so important to make good memories, especially when you’re young. 

And consequently, considering all the aforementioned, it was a no brainer then, when I opened the Good Book a short while ago and my eyes fell on these wonderful words of praise written many moons ago by the psalmist, that it was meant to be Today’s Bit. (smile) 

Rejoice with me people! ‘O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto him with psalms (joyful songs). For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.’ (Ps.95:1-3) And so He is indeed my fellow believers! In fact he is the ONLY True and Living God in existence! 

And how do we know that? Well for a start: ‘In his hand (his possession) are the deep places of the earth: the strength (heights) of the hills is his also. The sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land.’   (Ps.95:4-5) And that’s gospel truth my brethren! So it’s only wise that we bow down and worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who created this great universe and all therein, including us, mankind, arguably, His greatest creation! (smile) 

Yeh friends, sometimes I do wonder about man being God’s greatest creation, although the physical reality says so. But the mental aspect, the behaviour, the foolish and unwise desire to run from God, to wipe Him out from our society; that certainly doesn’t warrant us being amongst the greatest! 

Our attitude and great desire should instead be like the psalmist decrees: ‘O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand (under His care).’ (Ps.95:6-7a) Now that’s how a grateful creation behaves towards its Creator! 

Not as the psalmist continues: ‘Today if ye will hear His voice, Harden not your heart, as in the provocation (rebellion at Meribah), and as in the day of temptation (trial, testing) in the wilderness: When your fathers tempted (tried, tested) me, proved me, and saw my work.’ (Ps.95:7b-9) Imagine that nuh; after all the wonders and goodness the Lord did for the Israelites, taking them out of bondage in Egypt, providing water and manna for them, they still doubted and tried to test Him. 

That’s why they languished for so long in the wilderness. ‘Forty years long was I grieved (disgusted) with this generation, and said, It is a people that do err (go astray) in their heart, and they have not known my ways: Unto whom I sware in my wrath that they should not enter into my rest.’ (Ps.95:10-11) 

Unfortunately my people, that’s the same way our world is behaving today! And yuh know what? It’s the same solution God has to the problem: we will not enter into His rest if we are disobedient and distrustful and worship other false gods and idols, which so many of us are doing! So let’s come to our senses nuh, wise up and start behaving the way we ought to, that is if we truly want to enter into His rest. 

But for those of us who are sincerely trying to do as He desires, let’s go home now declaring (bravo!) our Thursday Blessings which the Lord has so generously rained down on us, so that we can do His work. All together in loud voice, with sincere hearts and minds: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! 

I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

Now let’s go out and use those wonderful blessings to help others, as Jesus so greatly desires of us nuh. Remember too, that they’re not for selfishly hoarding, but for generously sharing! Much LOVE!

…worshipping and praising God…is the best food for man’s soul…

 

 

 

 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 20 June 2019 Philippians 2:9.

20 Jun 2019 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Philippians 2:9.    ​Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
 

And it looks like it’s going to rain today… Hn! The whole truth though is that it has already rained today, sometime in the early morning hours. And if we do get some rain today, we really can’t complain because we’ve gotten such beautiful warm weather for the last few days. 

And anyway, we’re down to the penultimate day of the workweek, and our souls are all bursting with the heavenly fire of Jesus as we mingle in the evil, ungodly world, His assured ambassadors, bringing peace, LOVE, joy and the good news of His wonderful gospel to all and sundry. That’s why we can all declare: ‘I am ONE with God’s perfect order, I am calm and poised, knowing that all is well with my life.’ 

And that’s only because ‘the Light of God surrounds me. The LOVE of God enfolds me. The Power of God protects me. And the Presence of God watches over me! That means All is Well!’ Glory be my precious people! That’s what happens to us when we become true disciples of Jesus! 

Though circumstances may not be the best, there is a radiant joy, an uplifting and encouraging attitude, a supreme peace, one which surpasses all of man’s understanding, alive in our souls and spirits placed there by our Leader, Lord and Saviour – Jesus Christ! 

Give Him some sincere thanks and praise ye saints of God, for all that He’s already done for us – sacrificing Himself on Calvary’s cross so that our sins could be forgiven and we’re made right with God the Father, plus making us entitled to salvation and eternal life. 

And let’s remember to also thank and praise Him for what He is doing right now – sitting at the Father’s right hand interceding on our behalf. Then there’s the Big One, what’s He’s promised to do in the future – come back for us and take us to dwell in the mansions of heaven with him and the other parts of the Holy Trinity…for ever and ever and ever…! 

Wow! What’s there not to like about all that eh friends? Who else has even thought about doing anything like that for us lowly humans eh, much less actually doing it, like Jesus has done? Not a single supposed god! And that’s simply because there is ONLY ONE GOD; He of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the Living Deity; the Triune combination of Father, Son and Holy Ghost, Creators and Rulers of this awesome universe! 

That’s why nobody else can do what Jesus has done, is doing and has promised to do for us. And that’s why we need to glorify and exalt His Holy Name: that awesome name that’s set above every other for His selfless sacrificial work As Bruh Paul declared to the Philippians: ‘And being found in fashion (appearance) as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:’ (Phil.2:8-9) 

Mama Yo! Yuh see how the Father exalted Jesus mih people for obediently doing His bidding! It’s the same way He’ll exalt us if we humbly and obediently do His holy will. Obviously our names won’t be as exalted as Jesus’, but we will be recognized enough by the saints. (smile) 

And just think about the awesome recognition that Jesus’ exaltation wrought nuh: ‘That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of (those) things in heaven, and (those) things in earth, and (those) things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Phil.2:10-11) Yeh friends, that’s how important the Father made Jesus for His obedience and sacrifice! 

And Bruh Paul says it thus to the Ephesians in talking about his praying for them to acquire knowledge and understanding: ‘according to the working of his (God’s) mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set (seated) him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 

Far above all principality, and power and might, and dominion, (various classes of angelic beings), and every name that is named, not only in this world (age), but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him that filleth all in all.’  (Eph.1:19a-23) Wow mih breddren! Jesus couldn’t get any higher than that! 

Now hear these explanations from the scholars: ‘1:22. And gave him to be the head over all things to the church means God appointed Him head (ruler) over all things for the benefit of the church. Jesus is the divinely appointed ruler over the entire universe for the church’s benefit.’ 

‘1:23. Paraphrased, this verse reads, “For the church is His body. It is the fullness belonging to Him who fills the universe with all things.” That is, Jesus, who so wisely and skillfully fills the universe with all material elements necessary for its existence, also wisely and skillfully infuses His people (the church) with His own life and character.’ 

Yes friends, the church represents the body of Christ, and we are the church, not the buildings, which means that whatever is in Christ is also in us. Therefore we need to work together for His benefit, as one body though with different parts, because that’s the only way we will ever overcome the evil that’s currently ruling the world. And in His utmost wisdom and generosity, He has also given us wonderful blessings to use as tools in our earthly work. 

So let’s go home declaring (Steups! wrong again!) them out loud with real gusto and true sincerity. As one now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! 

I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

Now two last things to remember (smile); our words have awesome power, so when we speak them, we bring them to pass, and secondly, those blessings are not to be hoarded but to pass around generously as we do Christ’s work. Sermon done! Much LOVE!

…His servants shall see the Lamb’s face…and His name shall be written…on their foreheads… (Rev.22:3 & 4)